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Pentax Papilio 8.5x21 Porro Prism Binocular | 
| Brand: Pentax
List Price: $200.00
Buy New: $129.00
You Save: $71.00 (36%)
New (11)
Rating:  13 reviews
Sales Rank: 2120
Media: Electronics
Fragile: No
Batteries Included: No
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1
Dimensions (in): 5.3 x 2.9 x 5.4
MPN: 62216
Model: 62216
UPC: 027075087408
EAN: 0027075087408
ASIN: B0007TSYCK
Release Date: July 1, 2005
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | Ideally suited for viewing insects, birds, artwork or any other object at close ranges | | • | C.L.O.S.E. (Convergent Lens Optical System Engineering) allows them to focus down to 1.6 feet | | • | Revolutionary dual-axis, single body housing with synchronized eye-piece adjustment to assure correct optical alignment for comfortable viewing | | • | Fast and easy center focusing for handling ease | | • | Fully multi-coated optics to eliminate harmful ultraviolet rays while improving light transmission for high contrast images with no glare or flare |
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| Accessories:
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Named for the Latin word for butterfly, PENTAX Papilio 8.5x21 binoculars are the perfect choice for insect observation in the field and in museums and galleries. The enhanced observation capability of the Papilio binoculars is made possible by a PENTAX Convergent Lens Optical System Engineering (CLOSE) mechanism. The CLOSE mechanism automatically slides the left and right objective lenses toward the center when the focus is fixed at a short distance. Revolutionary dual-axis, single body housing with synchronized eye-piece adjustment to assure correct optical alignment for comfortable viewing Fast and easy center focusing for handling ease Helicoid eyepiece rings for extra viewing comfort Fully multi-coated optics to eliminate harmful ultraviolet rays while improving light transmission for high contrast images with no glare or flare High quality BaK4 prisms transmit more light at the edges to enhance illumination for easier viewing in dim light Included Accessories - Eyepiece lens caps, Case, Neck strap Binocular Type - Porro-prism, center focusing Lens Construction - Objective Lens - 2 elements in 1 group Eyepiece Lens - 5 elements in 5 groups Magnification - 8.5X / Objective Lens Diameter - 21mm Field of View - Real - 6.0 degrees /Apparent - 51 degrees / Field Of View At 1000 Meters - 105m / Field of View at 1000 yards - 315 ft. Diopter Adjustment Range - +/- 4 m -1 / Diopter Adjustment - Click-stop adjuster built in right eyepiece Dimensions (Height Width) - 4.6 x 4.3 inches (116 x 110mm) Thickness - 2.2 inches (55mm) / Weight - 10.2 oz. (290g) Pentax Limited lifetime warranty
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| Customer Reviews: Read 8 more reviews...
Great for all-around nature study August 20, 2005
L. Saul
27 out of 29 found this review helpful
These binocs are perfect for anybody who is interested in all creatures, not just birds. We used them at the Everglades and were equally pleased with the views of birds, alligators, crabs, insects, etc. They have gotten me interested in butterflying, and for this purpose they are superb. I expect that in time, you will see rave reviews on butterfly websites. Being able to focus to 20 inches or so allows me to watch insects & spiders with as much detail as if my eye were just a couple inches from the object (if the naked eye could focus that close). The view is gorgeous. At close range, it is somewhat like looking through a dissecting microscope. Amazingly, the quality of the image is very good (for both near & far objects). I tried some truly bad binoculars ($100 cheapies, zoom binocs, etc.) while shopping around and the Papilio is definitely at a much higher level of quality. To me, the quality is not noticeably different from that of the $350 birding binoculars (8x32, etc.) that I have tried. Perhaps a trained eye could find a difference, but I don't notice any. A potential concern with close-focusing binocs might be eyestrain, but the Papilio is very easy on the eyes even at close range. I have been using these binocs intensively for three weeks, and I am still delighted with them. I was also concerned about the small (21 mm) objectives, but I have not found the image to be noticeably dark.
Basically, these binocs are a real treat to own and well worth the price. I hope that Pentax (and hopefully other companies) continue this line of product development. If an image-stabilized version of the 8.5x21 came out for $400, I think I would buy it and just keep the other pair around as a spare. Hand-shake is not especially an issue with these binocs (compared to any pair with 8-9 power), but with the gorgeous views you will want to really run your eyes over all the details in the image, so a stabilizer seems like the next step. Fortunately, there is a tripod hole. Actually, you could use these for doing fine crafts, but only if you are least 5'10" or so (i.e. with long enough arms), and even then it would be awkward for long periods. Hopefully they will come out with a model that focuses to a few inches; that would probably require a longer barrel so it would be less portable. It would also be nice to increase the field of view if possible; it is pretty hard to follow a flying insect with these. If you specialize in birding, you may object to the field of view and the smallish objectives.
Anyway, for general nature study, the only real complaint I can make about the Papilio is that, because of the special mechanism that slides the objectives closer together for close-focus, there is a protective sheet of glass right near the end to keep grit out of the mechanism. I am concerned about getting fingerprints on it or hitting it on something. The glass doesn't look very thick so I assume it's more breakable than objective lenses would be. The case is OK, but it is too much trouble to keep pulling them out every time a bird or butterfly shows up. Anyway, at this price, I wouldn't feel too bad just buying a new pair every few years if I should break this pair. In fact, at only around $150, they're cheap enough that you might want to order one even if you haven't had a chance to try one out in a store. Since close-focusing is the special feature, I recommend the 8.5 x 21 to get the big views of insects that you want. I haven't tried the 6.5 x 21 but I imagine it has a bigger field of view and is better for hand-shake.
Butterfly Fun July 2, 2006
Marilyn A. Barber
11 out of 11 found this review helpful
My husband and I used the binoculars to do the Broward County yearly butterfly count. They are easy to carry, adjust with one hand, and show the butterfly beautifully to every last detail. I highly recommend them.
A great aid to the close-up photographer January 9, 2007
Mike Stratil (Whispering Pines, NC USA)
11 out of 11 found this review helpful
This is one of the most useful devices I have purchased for aiding my close-up photography. I use it to scan a close up scene and pick out objects or features that I want to photograph. It works exactly as advertized. This means that it can be used to view objects from much closer than is possible with conventional binoculars. Of course, it also doubles as the latter, too. Strongly recommended.
Butterfly Bonanza November 3, 2006
Pamela Murfey (Jupiter, FL USA)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
As a new butterfly enthusiast I needed a pair of close focusing binocular. The Pentax Papilio provided a light weight, easy to focus, and comfortable to carry binocular. Since I began using them my ability to see details was greatly enhanced.
Good choice September 7, 2007
L. Spickler (PA)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
I needed a light weight small size binocular for bird and concert viewing and these worked for me. I was also amazed to be able to see tiny insects on flowers that were not really visible without using the binoculars. I read many reviews on Amazon before purchasing these and am very happy with my purchase.
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